Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Lotion can soothe, replenish, and protect your skin. Depending on the ingredients, it can also perfume or medicate your skin. If you buy a lotion, there's a chance it will cause a reaction or worsen a pre-existing skin condition. Fortunately, it's easy to make a homemade lotion, using ingredients you control. Here's a simple non-irritating recipe to try. You can customize it to suit your needs:

Homemade Lotion Ingredients

1-2 tablespoons beeswax

3/4 cup sunflower oil (or jojoba oil)

1/4 cup sweet almond oil

1 cup mineral water or rose water

few drops of essential oils (optional)

contents of a vitamin E capsule (optional)

Use the lower amount of beeswax for a more fluid lotion and the higher amount for a creamier lotion. You can substitute olive oil for one of the other oils, but keep in mind it does not have as long of a shelf life and will affect the color of the lotion (which might be good, depending on what you want). Essential oils could include lavender, chamomile, or neroli. You can add them for fragrance and therapeutic effects or omit them to make an unscented lotion.

Make the Homemade Lotion

Ideally, the first step should be to sterilize the container you will use to store the oil. This helps prevent any bacteria or mold from growing in the lotion and is generally more hygienic. Do this by immersing heat-safe bottles or jars in boiling water. Alternatively, you can run the containers through a dishwasher to eliminate most microorganisms.

In a double boiler (or a bowl sitting in a pan of hot water), melt together the beeswax and oils. Once melted, let the oil mixture cool enough that it is safe to handle.

Pour the water into a blender. Turn the blender on a high speed.

Slowly pour the oil into the blender. This creates an emulsion, which incorporates the oil and water in a way that won't separate.

If you are using them, add essential oils or vitamin E last.

This is your lotion! Pour it into the container you have prepared. Keep the lid closed when you aren't using it to keep it clean.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

If you're diabetic or on a low carb diet and you have a sweet tooth, you'll hear the siren call of sugar-free treats. Sugar-Free Reese's Cups. Sugar-Free Hershey Bars. They taste amazing! However, you should consider avoiding temptations that are sweetened with maltitol. Here's a look at what maltitol is and why it might not be your dietary friend.

What Maltitol Is

Maltitol is a sugar alcohol. It tastes a lot like table sugar (sucrose), looks similar, and works much the same in recipes. It's a carbohydrate, but you can't metabolize it completely . It's added to foods to make them sugar-free in the belief the maltitol won't have the same effect on blood sugar you'd get from eating the real deal. Maybe for some people, this is true. For many, maltitol is just an expensive version of sugar.

Maltitol, Carbs, and Your Glycemic Index

Sugar-free candies sweetened with maltitol warn right on the packaging they are not low calorie foods. While you get only 2-3 calories per gram of maltitol, versus 4 calories per gram of sugar, maltitol isn't as sweet as sugar, so more is needed to get the same effect. Basically, this means you get the same calories per level of sweetness whether you use sucrose or maltitol. This would be fine, since calories aren't the concern, except many people's bodies recognize maltitol as a carbohydrate. Its glycemic index is 52, which approaches sugar's glycemic index of 60. If you're diabetic, it will spike your blood sugar. If you're on a low carb diet, it could knock you out of ketosis, stall weight loss, and lead to subsequent carb cravings.

Maltitol's Other Effect

Maltitol also causes digestive problems for many people. If the potential effect on your blood sugar doesn't scare you away, you might want to skip this ingredient to avoid the gas, cramps, and possibility of diarrhea. There are other sweeteners out there with fewer side effects and great taste that are less likely to mess up your diet. Choose one of them or at least exercise caution if you go for the maltitol treats. Limit yourself to one or two candies until you know what to expect.

It's extremely discouraging to get stuck on a weight loss plateau. I'm sure this is true on any diet, but it seems especially cruel when you're on a low carb diet, such as Atkins induction or another ketogenic diet, because you're probably staying away from high carb foods you love and miss. Yes, pizza, I'm thinking of you.

I've been there -- I know. I was stuck for 5 weeks, during which time I increased activity, cut back on calories... nothing worked for me. So I did my research and uncovered hidden blocks to my weight loss. I'm past the plateau and I'm hoping you will be too. No matter how strictly you've been following a low carb diet, there are factors that can make you maintain (or even gain) weight. Here's a look at what they are and how to beat them:

You're Eating Hidden Carbs

It's not that labels lie, but they don't tell the whole truth. That little packet of sweetener you add to everything? Each one is probably 1-2 grams of carbs, which add up over the course of a day. Solution? Switch to the liquid sweetener, which is truly 0 carbs (or close enough).

Another sneaky source of carbs is medication. If you take anything at all, over the counter or prescription, assume it contains carbs. Usually this is the binder portion of the inactive ingredient list. Solution? Google how many carbs are in your drug and add the count to your daily carb total.

Keep in mind, zero calories does not equal zero carbs. This was one of my downfalls, right here: I'd drink a zero calorie sports drink to get my electrolytes, thinking I was good. Nope.... 2 grams of carb per serving or 4 per bottle. Solution? Check the carb counts. Limit consumption.

Finally, realize there are different types of carbohydrates. You might be able to eat sugar alcohols with no concern except the side effects and calories, or you might suffer a weight loss plateau from eating them. If you're not losing weight, cut out carbs you think are "safe" and see what happens.

You're Eating Too Many Calories

No matter what diet you're on, you lose weight when the calories used exceed the calories eaten. Did you think you could eat all you wanted, as long as you kept under your carb count, and still lose weight? That works for many people, but not everyone. The reason people lose weight on low carb eating all they want is because the protein and fat help you feel satiated, so you automatically eat fewer calories. So, automatic portion control does not work for everyone because being hungry is not the only reason people eat! If you're stuck on a weight loss plateau, try counting and cutting calories.

You may consider cutting carbs rather than calories. If you're eating 100 grams of carbs per day, cut back. Try 50. Are you at 50 grams? Try 20 grams and see if you start losing weight.

You're Too Stressed

Hormones control how your body stores and burns fat. Cortisol, in particular, may be working against you if you're stressed, telling your body it needs to keep its fat to protect you from some impending doom. Solution? This is a tough one, because it's hard to beat stress. Exercise, but not to excess. Set a bed time, turn out all the lights, and try to get quality sleep. Make sure you're getting plenty of water. Try yoga or meditation.

You're Actually Losing Weight But Don't Know It

When you seek to lose weight, chances are what you really want is to lose fat. The scale won't necessarily tell you when that happens because it can't tell water and protein and fat apart. So, if your clothes fit better or you're stronger, chances are the scale hasn't registered a net loss because you've gained muscle. Even if you didn't lose fat (though you probably did), muscle burns more calories than other tissue, so it will help you with your weight loss goals.

Another reason you might not see weight loss, even though you're burning fat, is that you're not drinking enough water or your eating too much salt. If you're holding water, your weight may appear higher than it really is. Really, with a low carb diet, a bigger concern is losing electrolytes with water (e.g., magnesium, potassium). Keep hydrated and watch your electrolyte balance.

You've Got an Underlying Medical Condition

You know how you always hear you're supposed to consult a doctor before beginning a weight loss program? It's good advice because basic blood tests can identify fundamental road blocks on the path to weight loss. If there's anything out of whack with your liver or thyroid, weight loss may prove more challenging than anticipated. Ladies, not that it's a "condition", but if you've entered menopause, the hormone shifts and reduced calorie requirement may also make weight loss harder than it used to be. Solution to these issues? Work together with your medical professional, not off by yourself.

Breaking My Weight Loss Plateau

If you've maintained weight for a few days or a week, don't freak out. Chances are it's just a natural fluctuation in the amount of water you're holding and you'll be back on track in a few days. If you've gone weeks or months at the same weight, don't give up and cheat. Try to find the underlying cause. Keep in mind, as you zero in on your goal weight, it gets harder and harder to lose additional weight. You'll need to be patient.

For me, the solution was finding and eliminating hidden carbs. I'm sure stress was a contributing factor too, although I can't say I've tackled that one. I was actually eating more calories when the weight loss started back up again. As it turns out, eating too little might have contributed to the plateau. When you cut calories dramatically for an extended period of time, you're body starts to conserve its stores. No, I was not starving myself, but I was working out. If your situation is similar, try adding a bit more protein to your diet and see what happens.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

As I mentioned in my last post, I started adding groups of tutorials over at Squidoo. I like the pages there because I can list several related recipes or instructions on one page so you can scan for the information you need. Here's a look at what I have so far:

Sunday, November 30, 2008

When I wrote for All Info About, I had a long list of natural lip balm, lip stain, and lip gloss recipes. As much as I love Blogger, it's not the greatest venue for posting recipes, so I started a page over at Squidoo that lists different types of lip gloss recipes. The recipe for a general lip gloss is good for more than your lips though. When my oldest son was born, that balm was a lifesaver as a diaper ointment. It protected his bottom and was (apparently) soothing when he did get a rash. When you think about it, a product that protects and soothes chapped lips is good for other sensitive skin, too.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) paste is a folk remedy used by native North Americans that has been documented as effective for removing moles, warts, and skin tags. When I say 'documented' I mean there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that the plant removes these conditions, but I didn't see peer-reviewed studies regarding the effectiveness, safety, or permanence of the treatment. That seems fairly typical for folk remedies, in part because there is no way to standardize the treatment.

The sap from the plant resembles blood. The dried root produces a paste that is gritty and reddish. Bloodroot contains a high level of chemicals called alkaloids. Examples of alkaloids you may be familiar with include caffeine from coffee and salicylic acid from willow bark (precursor of aspirin). While some alkaloids are healthful, some are extremely toxic.

Removing Moles with Bloodroot

After reading about bloodroot, I decided to try it out for myself in a very uncontrolled experiment. Basically, the treatment for moles is to cover the affected area with a damp paste or poultice of bloodroot (sometimes other ingredients are found in commercial preparations), cover the mole/wart/skin tag with a bandage, and let nature take its course. I read the speed of the treatment could be increased by exfoliating the skin with a pumice stone or by scratching it with a sterile needle.

I chose three moles, including two that were raised, and tried it out. The preparation is pretty unattractive, drying to a dark reddish brown, so if you plan to address a skin condition on your face, be aware of this. For two of the moles, I felt a mild burning sensation after applying the poultice. It wasn't unbearable or distracting. After a day, the moles had formed scabs. There was redness in the region surrounding two of the moles as well. For one test area, a scab formed over the entire area that had contacted the poultice, not just the mole.

I read some people think the treatment should be discontinued and the skin allowed to heal as soon as a scab has formed. Others recommend applying the poultice for another day or longer. Several sources say it may take up to 30 days for a mole to be removed. I took the minimalist route and discontinued applying bloodroot as soon as a scab had formed. In my case, two of the moles basically fell off after 48 hours. Both healed with a lightened area around the area where the mole had been. One mole returned, the other did not. The third mole did not form a scab after a day, and I had discontinued treatment to see how the other two would end up.

Does Bloodroot Work?

I think there is some trial-and-error involved in the bloodroot treatment, but I also think it may be a viable alternative to cryotherapy or other surgical techniques to remove a skin condition. In my opinion, it's definitely worth trying, both because it's relatively inexpensive and because you may successfully remove the condition without scarring. On the other hand, I would advise anyone considering trying bloodroot to expect burning and irritation, to realize there is a risk of infection with any treatment (surgical or non-invasive), and that scar formation is a possibility (again, with any treatment), plus there may be reactions to the substances in the plant, including an allergic reaction.

About Me

I am About.com's Guide to Chemistry. I have a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Tennessee and B.A. degrees in Physics and Mathematics from Hastings College. My work experience includes research, teaching, and consulting.